Dryland Research

Drylands covering more than 40% of the earth surface. Extreme climate conditions are characteristic for these regions. Under such harsh environmental conditions a special adapted flora and fauna have developed. These fragile ecosystems are endangered by climate change and desertification. Therefore, understanding of ecological processes in time and space is important for a sustainable land-use and the protection of biodiversity. The specialist group was founded in 1996. The aim is to integrate basic and applied ecological research questions and to link ecology with the human dimensions in the drylands.

Key subjects of the group are e.g.:

Desert Ecology (Botany and Zoology)

Biodiversity

Desertification and Global Change

Natural Resource Management

About 60 members

Ecology, biology, vegetation science, geography,climatology, social and economical sciences, soil science, hydrology, remote sensing, desert agriculture, modelling,and others

Contact:

Dr. Anja Linstädter
Botanisches Institut
Universität zu Köln
Gyrhofstr. 15
50931 Köln
phone: 0221-470-7905
email: anja.linstaedter (at) uni-koeln.de